Background and Objective: Birth defects are important causes of childhood morbidity and disability. This study was done to determine the incidence and pattern of birth defects in live birth in cities of Golestan province, north of Iran.Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 92420 live births in 13 hospitals in Golestan province, northern Iran from 21 January 2008 to 20 March 2011. The newborns were examined for the presence of birth defects. Gender, type of birth defects and residency of parents according to city in Golestan province was recorded for each newborn.Results: The incidence rate of birth defects, in Gorgan, Kordkoy, Aliabad and Gonbad was 20.46, 12.53, 10.86, and 8.99 per 1,000 live births, respectively. The incidence rate of birth defects western area (including Kordkoy, Bandargaz and Kordkoy), center (Gorgan, Capital city) and eastern area (including Aliabad, Gonbad, Minodasht and Kalaleh) of Golestan province) was 9.3, 20.46 and 8.79 per 1,000 live births, respectively. Cardiovascular anomaly was the most frequent birth defects.Conclusion: The incidence rate of birth defects varies in diferent area of Golestan provine and overally was lower than the other region in Iran.

Background: Congenital anomalies are important medical and public health conditions. The pattern and preva-lence of birth defects may vary over time or with geographical location. We investigated the live birth preva-lence and occurrence pattern of birth defects in Golestan Province, northern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 144920 live newborns in 13 hospitals in Golestan Province, northern Iran, from 21 Jan 2008 to 19 Mar 2013. The newborns were examined for the presence of birth defects and mothers were interviewed for variables such as maternal age and ethnicity. In ad-dition, data for each newborn was filed in a questionnaire and the coding of birth defects was translated to the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision– clinical modification (ICD-10-CM). Results: Overall, 1690 infants were diagnosed as having birth defects among 144920 live newborns. The preva-lence rate of birth defects was 11. 66 per 1000 live births, the prevalence of birth defects per 1000 was11. 62 in males and 11. 42 in females. The prevalence of congenital anomalies among native Fars, Turkmen and Sistani were 13. 03, 11. 16 and 13. 07, respectively, per 1000 live births. Anomalies of the cardiovascular system were the most common defects; the prevalence rate of cardiovascular system was 8. 34 per 1000 live birth. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of birth defects in this area was lower than in the other regions in Iran (20. 3 per 1000 live births) but higher than in some parts of Asia (7. 33 per 1000 live births).

Purpose: To evaluate 10 cases of corneal epithelial defect who were treated with cyanoacrylate glue temporary tarsorrhaphy.Materials & Methods: We used cyanoacrylate glue (razi supper glue) tarsocilliorraphy for the management of patients with corneal persistent epithelial defects (PED) with several etiologies who did not respond to other commercial treatments such as lubricants, artificial tears and patching. The cyanoacrylate glue was placed on the lateral one third of anterior lamella of lid margin and base of the cilia after preparastion with povidone iodine 5%, patients underwent a 14 days follow up for epithelial defect and tarsocilliorraphy prospectively.Results: 10 patients (8 males, 2 females) aged 52.1 (range: 12-81) years were evaluated prospectively after cyanoacrylate glue tarsocilliorraphy. Tarsocilliorraphy maintained 12.1 (range: 4-20) days and the mean period of epithelial defect healing was 11.2 (range: 3-20) days.Conclusion: We concluded the cyanoacrylate glue tarsocilliorraphy is an effective and safe method for the treatment of corneal persistent epithelial defect (PED) due to neurotrophic ulcer, exposure keratopathy and any epithelial defects not responded to commercial treatment.

Holoprosencephaly is the most common embryonic brain defect. Foetuseswho survive during intrauterine life are born with varying grades of brain andfacial deformities. Extra craniofacial manifestations are common. Vertebralsegmentation defects are rarely seen with holoprosencephaly, mainly inassociation with holoprosencephaly diencephalic hamartoblastoma (HDH)association. A female infant was born at term by normal delivery. Birth headcircumference was below the 3rd percentile. Antenatal scan had showedmicrocephaly as the only abnormality. Physical examination revealedmicrocephaly, ocular hypotelorism, left ear skin tag and short neck. MRI of thebrain showed semilobar holoprosencephaly. Neck radiograph revealed grossvertebral segmentation defect involving cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae.She had initial feeding difficulties. She showed severe global developmentaldelay and had underlying central diabetes insipidus. Vertebral segmentationdefect is rare in holoprosencephaly.

Persistent corneal epithelial defects (PEDs or PCEDs) result from the failure of rapid re-epithelialization and closure within 10-14 days after a corneal injury, even with standard supportive treatment. Disruptions in the protective epithelial and stromal layers of the cornea can render the eye susceptible to infection, stromal ulceration, perforation, scarring, and significant vision loss. Although several therapies exist and an increasing number of novel approaches are emerging, treatment of PEDs can still be quite challenging. It is important to treat the underlying causative condition, which may include an infection, limbal stem cell deficiency, or diabetes, in order to facilitate wound healing. Standard treatments, such as bandage contact lenses (BCLs) and artificial tears (ATs), aim to provide barrier protection to the epithelial layer. Recently-developed medical treatments can target the re-epithelialization process by facilitating access to growth factors and anti-inflammatory agents, and novel surgical techniques can provide re-innervation to the cornea. PEDs should be treated within 7-10 days to avoid secondary complications. These interventions, along with a step-wise approach to management, can be useful in patients with PEDs that are refractory to standard medical treatment. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, current and novel management, and prognosis of persistent epithelial defects. . .

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of blue-yellow color vision defects among diabetics at Farabi and Shariati Hospitals during 2001.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on diabetics referred to us. We excluded patients whom were affected by cataract, age-related macular degeneration, optic neuritis, optic atrophy, glaucoma, or vitreous hemorrhage or other retinal disease; and also whom had undergone laser therapy. Color vision was examined by Farans worth D-15 and Lanthony D-15. Role of age, sex, visual acuity, duration of diabetes mellitus, stage of retinopathy, and macular edema were assessed.Results: Of 120 diabetics, 33.5% were male and 64.4% were female. Mean age (SD) was 48.5 (15.1) years. There was 22.4% and 47.6% color vision defects according to Farans worth D-15  and Lanthony D-15 tests, respectively. There was a positive association between age, duration of diabetes mellitus, visual acuity, stage of retinopathy, and macular edema with the color vision defect, but the defect had no association with sex.Conclusion: Blue-yellow color vision defect has a significant prevalence among diabetics.